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October 6, 2011

Stick Figures

In a few minutes it will be Gray's birthday. He is the child you make a big deal about when it comes to birthdays. We'll celebrate for days but it probably won't be enough.

(It's not like we are trying or anything- no way, quite the contrary. I think I was just looking to the stick to figure out why my clothes fit the way they fit and why I feel the way I feel.) Like skin, and age, and time it had lines

but no real answers.

Our yard. Is happening. Abandoned bikes and overturned skateboards litter the driveway. The kids stand around, "I wanna be Fergie and you are Beyonce, he's Justin." I sit on the front stoop, hidden behind a massive dogwood. "Did you hear about Michelle Obama? She went shopping at a store." Fifth graders talk about Michelle Obama.

I catch Noah's sideways glance. Is it okay that I'm out here? Does he want me to go in? I just don't want to leave Ivy in the front yard unattended. Does he like that I'm near? I don't know. Later he says he's glad everyone wants to come to our yard. And he kissed my shoulder good night.

Ivy blows dandelion puffs and makes a wish, then whispers it in my ear. I wish for a teddy bear whiiisshhh. She has a crush on a sixth grader. Another whisper, mom I touched his arm.

I find Gray in the back with the girl who put stars in his eyes and I see for the first time the sparkle when she looks at him. He shows off his DS skills. She is impressed.

It says alot about you and your parenting when all the kids feel so welcome in your yard. You are the Cool mom. I would rather have all the bunch and know where they are and what they are doing instead of them being at other places, not knowing.

I remember being each age you just described. The 5th graders talking about the president (or wife), being okay with mom being there, but wondering when she'll finally just go, and having a crush on someone much older than myself, and telling my mom. I loved this post. It's one of my very favorites.

i read this on my phone this morning, but had to come back to comment! not even sure what to say, except i love the peek into your life. also, i never grew up in a neighborhood or we haven't really desired to live in one, BUT, this makes me want to, because i love the idea of tons of kids coming to my house. :) :) :)

I lovet the simplicity of everything you wrote. It's life, and it's so real! Our lives are a bit alike, I just don't have the talent to get it all down in words the way you do. I pee'd on a stick a couple months ago bc my clothes were tight. We were not trying, we were done. #4 is due in March... Our yard makes us out to be the slobs on the street... Bikes, scooters, helmets, everywhere! And although it's so not like me to let it all linger, I secretly love that my kids take it for granted that they can just leave it all out there, and everything will be ok!

I love this beautifully put snapshot of these moments, these days. Growing up we were never the hang out house. There were always time limits and number limits and location limits by my parents. I want to be that neighborhood house, cause the end of the day I would rather my kids be with me (and their friends) than off somewhere else. Not because I'm worried but because (most of the time) I want them with me.